Nhl 1st round predictions

(3) Phoenix Coyotes Vs (6) Chicago Blackhawks: This matchup is between two opposite teams, the coyotes like to slow things down and rely heavily on good goaltending from Smith, while the Hawks like to run and gun with their high powered weapons, should be interesting to see who prevails.

Offence: The Coyotes scored 216 goals this season which ranks them 17th. Coyotes offence is led by the veterans in Whitney, Vrbata and Doan. The old guys had great years which surprised many. The Coyotes also have many young talented forwards such as Boedker and Brule who will be relied upon heavily if they enter into a high scoring shootout with the hawks. On D the coyotes have one of the young offensive Dmen in Keith Yandle who will log heavy minutes. Another solid offensive Dman is Oliver Ekman- Larsson.

The Blackhawks scored 248 goals this season which ranks them tied for 6th. The blackhawks have some of the deadliest snipers in the game and if you give them a little space they will burn you. The hawks top 2 lines are as good as any teams top lines and these guys will play alot. Marian Hossa, kane, sharp, toews will log minutes and will be hard to shut down. The Hawks have some great offensive dmen that will jump up and join the rush and this will be led by Duncan Keith who put up 40 points this season. Nick Leddy is a young Dman that isn't afraid to rush in. The pick up of Johnny Oduya at the trade deadline just makes this teams backend that much more dangerous.

Edge: Blackhawks

Defence: The Coyotes allowed 204 goals this season which was 6th best in the league. Dave Tippett is a coach that preaches Defence and the coyotes have found ways to win those one goal games. The coyotes don't have a superstar and are led by captain Doan on the forecheck. The coyotes are a bunch of gritty players and Raffi Torres will be the physical spark for this team. On D this team will be led by veterans Aucoin and Morris who will try containing the hawks firepower.

The Blackhawks allowed 238 goals this season which was 22nd best. The Hawks are a speedy team who will come in fast on the forecheck. Toews leads by example as this guy is a workhorse. The most hated man in Vancouver Dave Bolland will be this teams shutdown Center who has done a great job slowing down the top players in the game. The Hawks are led by Keith and Seabrook on D who will face the top line of each team and these guys are workhorses that will log 25+ minutes a game. Hjalmarsson will be another Dman that will bring some physicalness to the game.

Edge: Blackhawks

Goaltending: Mike Smith was the reason why the coyotes made the playoffs, this guy was insane this year. Smith posted a 38-18-10 record this season with 8 shutouts and a G.A.A of 2.21. Smith has appeared in 3 playoff games posting a record of 1-1 with a G.A.A of 1.00.

The Hawks have had some goaltending issues this year thats why there goals against total is high. The starter for the Hawks will be Corey Crawford who played solid in last year's playoff vs the Nucks. Crawford posted a record of 30-17-7 with a G.A.A of 2.72. Crawford has appeared in 8 playoff games and has a record of 3-4 with 1 shutout and a G.A.A of 2.26. If crawford struggles, Ray Emery will step in. Emery posted a 15-9-4 record this season with a G.A.A of 2.81. Emery has playoff experience and led the Senators to the finals in 2007. In 36 playoff appearances, Emery has a record of 20-15 with 3 shutouts and a G.A.A of 2.57.

Edge: Coyotes

Special Teams: The Coyotes powerplay ranked 29th this season cashing in 13.6% of the time. The coyotes gave up 6 shorthanded goals. The Coyotes penalty kill was the 8th best this year with an efficiency rate of 85.5% and scored 6 shorthanded goals.

The Blackhawks powerplay ranked 26th this season cashing in 15.2% of the time. The hawks gave up 3 shorthanded goals. The Hawks penalty kill was 27th with an efficiency rate of 78.1% and scored 7 shorthanded goals.

Edge: Coyotes

Key Players To Watch: Mike Smith and Keith Yandle for the Phoenix Coyotes. Jonathan Toews and Corey Crawford for the Hawks.

Final Prediction: This series is going to be tight and should go seven games. Mike Smith is going to have to be lights out for the coyotes to advance but I just don't see that happening. Blackhawks in 7.

(4) Nashville Predators Vs (5) Detroit Red Wings: This Matchup features divisional rivals, the young guns in the predators and the old guys that seem to be their every year in Detroit.

Offence: The Predators scored 237 goals this season which ranks them 8th in the league. The preds are a young speedy team that gets balanced scoring throughout their entire lineup. Erat, legwand, and Sergei Kostiitsyn have been their top line but get get goals from various other scores liek hornqvist and fisher. The preds got Alexander Radulov back from Russia and this guy is a sniper, give him space and he will make you look silly. At the deadline the other kostitsyn, Andrei who can put up points also. The preds D are led by Shea Weber and Ryan Suter both of these guys have rocket slap shots from the point and they both like to blast it.

The Red Wings scored 248 goals this season which ranks tied for 6th. The Wings are veterans and know how to control the puck. Pavel Datsyuk is probably the hardest guy to get the puck off, his hands are so quick and this guy is strong. Zetterberg-Hudler- Filppula was a great line this year that led the wings while Datsyuk was out. Johan Franzen "the mule" for some reason in the playoffs turns his game up a notch. In 83 career playoff games he has 72 points. Pick this guy up in your fantasy pool! The Wings have 3 defenceman that can put some points up. Ian White, Kronwall, and the captain Lidstrom.

Edge: Tie

Defence: The Predators allowed 210 goals this season which ranks tied for 9th. Barry Trotz is another coach that likes to play defence. The speedy wingers of the predators will look to put pressure on the wings older players. The preds brought in size and have tried to model their team after bruins. Picking up Gaustad at the deadline to provide the hitting. Tootoo and Halischuk love to bang the body. The predators Defencemen are huge towers. Shea Weber and Ryan Suter will be the top shutdown pair. The pick up of Hal Gill was nice. Gill huge guy that can clear the net and block shots, it will be tought for the wings to get around him.

The Red Wings allowed 203 goals this season which ranks 6th. The Wings don't give up alot of shots but that's because their forwards do such a great job on the forecheck that the puck stays in the other end. Again Datsyuk is the leader here as this guy can get the puck off you in a second. The wings have some good young checkers in Helm, Miller and Abdelkader. The wings veteran D are smart players and hardly get caught out of position. Kronwall is going to be the physical force leading the wings. Kyle Quincey was a nice addition at the deadline and should help this team.

Edge: Tie

Goaltending: The Predators goalie has become of the elite goalies of the game. Pekka Rinne had a great year going 43-18-8 with 5 shutouts and a G.A.A of 2.39. In 18 playoff games, Rinne has a record of 8-10 with a G.A.A of 2.60.

The Red Wings goalie is Jimmy Howard who battled some injuries this year. Howard posted a 35-17-4 record with 6 shutouts and a G.A.A of 2.12. In 23 playoff appearances Howard has a record of 12-11 with 1 shutout and a G.A.A of 2.63.

Edge: Tie

Special Teams: The Predators powerplay was 1st in the league, cashing in 21.6% of the time. The preds gave up 4 shorthanded goals. The preds penalty kill ranked 10th with an efficiency of 83.6% and scored 5 shorthanded goals.

The Red Wings powerplay ranked 22nd this year, cashing in 16.1% of the time. The wings gave up 11 shorthanded goals. The Wings penalty kill ranked 18th with an efficiency rate of 81.8% and scored 2 shorthanded goals.

Edge: Predators

Key Players To Watch: Alexander Radulov and Pekka Rinne for the Predators. Johan Franzen and Jimmy Howard for the Red Wings.

Final Prediction: This series could go either way but I like the youngsters to advance. Predators in 7.

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